JT follows Tommy Fleetwood into apparel free agency, Malbon expands its Tour presence, and PAYNTR continues to stack footwear converts. These are the three biggest style moves from the week at Bay Hill.
Is Justin Thomas an Apparel Free Agent?
Golf’s Hot Stove League is still crackling well into March, and JT is looking like golf’s newest apparel free agent. Thomas is no longer listed as a member of the Greyson’s Wolfpack after he arrived at a TGL match and Bay Hill in unbranded Holderness & Bourne Polos.
Just when it looked like the switch might become official, Thomas threw us a curve. He went back to a Greyson polo for the first round at Bay Hill before slipping on another H&B shirt for Friday’s round. At the same time, it looks like Justin is once again lacing up FootJoy’s Premiere Series Wilcox, a classic brogue-style shoe, after a year in the brand’s more athletic Hyperflex model.
Anytime one of the best-dressed guys on Tour tweaks his wardrobe, it gets attention. This one is especially interesting because Thomas had been Greyson’s lead wolf since his split with Ralph Lauren. The partnership even produced the Crimson Wolf Capsule, built around his personal style.
Thomas has always leaned towards a sharper, more traditional look, which makes Holderness & Bourne a natural fit. That being said, there has been no official announcement, so all indications are that Thomas is playing the field and weighing his options. It is worth remembering that he wore Greyson for a year before an official partnership was announced. Stay tuned. This one may take some time to sort out.
Sungjae Im Inks Deal With Malbon
Malbon continues to move with intention. A few months ago, the brand signed Fred Couples, proving that its threads have no age limit.
Now, the brand has added Presidents Cup star Sungjae Im into the fold and gives Malbon a strong connection to the South Korean market, one of the most style-driven scenes in the game right now.
Another Week, Another PAYNTR Convert
Malbon might be generating the apparel buzz, but PAYNTR is building serious momentum when it comes to shoes. In the span of a few weeks, the Pacific Northwest brand signed Chef Woozy, Sam Burns, and Isaiah Salinda. Then Justin Rose ran away with the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines while wearing the brand’s X Tour Proto.
Now, you can add Ben Griffin to the latest list.
One question I had early on was how PAYNTR’s silhouettes would play with more classic fits. It turns out there is no issue there. Griffin pairing them with Holderness & Bourne and Burns wearing them alongside Peter Millar proves the PAYNTR Moving Day and PAYNTR Reserve Classic work just as well with tailored looks as they do with modern athletic ones.
Next week, on to TPC Sawgrass where the playas play.